There’s more to the host of the BNz World Report that meets the eye. Angela Ray is an accomplished actress, a graduate of the University of North Carolina and visionary / CEO of the annual Mahogany Dime awards that honor and pay tribute to African- American Women who have paved the road for her and many other in communities around the country.
” Angela has an awesome talent and an anointed Host. Team BNz and I are honored to work with such a natural talent that brings so much value to the operation”. Says Christopher Martin, producer / host for Brand Newz
Angela Ray Biography
Performing has become second nature for Angela Ray. In fact, since her initial recitation in First Baptist Church in Parkton, North Carolina, she hasn’t looked back. What began as way to gain attention and applause as a child has emerged into a lifelong passion for words and performance. This passion proved positive, when Angela, a freshman in high school, advanced to represent the state of North Carolina in the National Civic Oration Contest. The attention was exciting as she was featured in newspapers, acknowledged by city officials and named Person of the Week in Fayetteville by WFNC, her hometown. What seemed to be her shining moment soon faded as college was on the horizon.
An honors graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Radio, Television, Motion Pictures and Speech Communication, Angela explored many arenas for sharing her talent, emerging as a multi-faceted artist. As an actress, her film and television credits include Dawson’s Creekon the WB network, Miracle in the Woods, a CBS MOW, and Chicks 101, and independent feature film. She recently portrayed the leading role in the independent feature film Torn where she played “Juanita” a woman who was torn between her husband and a fiancé. Yes, that was a juicy role! Angela also played a supporting role in the documentary film I and I, which chronicles the life of the original conjoined twins, Chang and Eng.
An exceptional stage actress, Angela’s theatre credits include Day of Absence at the Hayti Heritage Center, Permanent Collection at Deep Dish Theatre, All the King’s Men at Burning Coal Theatre, The Vagina Monologues at the Arts Council Theatre and Blues, which she starred in at the National Black Theatre Festival for two consecutive biennials. She played the leading role of “Wiletta” in Trouble in Mind at North Carolina Central University. She was nominated as best supporting actress in a comedy play for her role in The Dance on Widow’s Row by the 2003 Triangle Theatre Awards. Most recently, she received an Emerging Artist Award in 2004 for excellence in drama by the Durham Arts Council.
A charismatic television personality, Angela can be seen weekly as the host of “Melodies of Praise” for Plugged TV, an entertainment and lifestyle program. The show airs in North Carolina but can be seen around the world at www.plugged.tv. She is currently in negotiations to produce her own talk show.
Accomplished behind the scenes, Angela’s credits as a director include Toe Jam and On the Other Side of the Hill. As a playwright, she has two full-length plays to her credit: Loved Ones and Aluta Continua (the struggle continues) which was presented in conjunction with the University of North Carolina’s Bicentennial Celebration. She also served as artistic director of the Ebony Readers/Onyx Theatre for two years.
An award winning poet and spoken word artist, Angela is the author of the book of poetry, Blackberry Whispers and a contributing author to the anthologies,Delta Girls: Stories of Sisterhood and No More Silent Cries. She is a part of the Poetry In the Light National Tour, which is an ensemble of Christian artists spreading the Word of God through the arts.
Still assertively using her gift of gab, Angela is a sought after motivational speaker. She has spoken to over 100,000 high school and college students across the country for Monster.com’s subsidiary company, Making it Count. In addition, she develops seminars for a host of clients. When she’s not on stage, in front of the camera, or writing her next book, this Southern Belle enjoys cooking and dancing.
The show also encourages anyone to contact Angela at angela@brandnewz.com with news and information that will contribute to better living conditions for a viewer’s family and their community.
